Dear Editor,
Some seven years ago, on a visit to one of our Grade A schools in Georgetown, a senior teacher described acts of immorality and uncouth behaviour among both boys and girls. Up and until recently, I assumed this was an aberration. Unfortunately, recent events and interventions I had with families in Georgetown, Linden and West Demerara, it appears that unacceptable behaviour is now pervasive in our schools, particularly our secondary schools and if not checked, can lead to the decay of what is left of our society. Further, I hope that the recently acquired loan of US$90M dollars for human development is not capriciously applied and that a substantial sum will go towards the training of teachers and the improvement of our educational system, the bedrock upon which a modern and viable society is built.
A cardinal aspect is that apart from the teachings of our respective religions the condition and beliefs of communities and the spirituality of the home environment, the school, in particular our primary and secondary schools must be able to deliver and saturate the minds of this generation in what, simply put, is a moral sense. Be reminded in the review by Elmer Sprague that “In the first half of the eighteenth century, certain British philosophers argued that moral sense is an instance of virtuous action. It is the occasion for a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction which enables us to distinguish that action as vicious. The moral sense is also an influencing motive in our pursuit of virtue and our avoidance of vicious behaviour, and it plays a part in our bestowal of praise and blame.”
In our society, many of our children have come out of broken homes. This, of course, is another matter, not germane to the plea and burden of this letter. The use of illicit drugs, including something I only learnt of this week, is the use of a “vape,” a battery-operated device available over the counter. Since this smoking apparatus is considered harmful, it should be illegal for stores to sell same to any school child – a matter that the Ministry of Education should bring to our Parliament for appropriate action. The money we have must be spent to train our teachers and educators to overcome the fallout among our children. We have for example, evidence that there are some secondary schools established as no more than money-making enterprises, where pedagogy is on the back burner, compassion and giving guidance to teenagers are irrelevant. This is not education.
The building of poorly constructed school buildings and enriching a few is a small step to produce a generation of citizens capable of coping with a new world of science and advanced technology. Editor, what is clear as crystal is that our education system has not kept pace with a society that is vulnerable to every new excitement without the appropriate support systems, either at the family unit or at the community and national levels. A caring government and a concerned Minister of Education need to take account of these factors as they roll out programmes for education. When as is the case, particularly in private schools, that our teenagers are for most of the day and week confined in a classroom for long hours, with one hour lunch-break, it is a recipe for boredom and hence attraction to other activities, producing a generation ill-prepared, of course with a few exceptions, to contribute and benefit from a rapidly changing world, and a country as in Guyana’s case, with an abundance of money.
Some forty years ago, when the developed countries announced the donation of money, boats, arm and training to combat the threat of the narco-trade and the mafia in North, Central, South America and the Caribbean, I proposed to some diplomats that a substantial portion of those resources be directed to ensure that every educational institution is provided with cultural and sporting programmes. This by itself, will consume the energies of our teenagers in healthy competition. A useful distraction from the monotony of being confined in a classroom. That alone would absorb the energies of our young people into useful competition and help them to recognize the importance of physical fitness and the harm that smoking and the consumption of illegal substances can incur. I believe that now that we have the financial resources, this is the route to go. If our Government truly cares for Guyana, this programme can fly after a few short months, by placing games masters and mistresses to every school.
No secondary schools, public or private, should be allowed to open their doors unless the facilities are in place, both academic and extra-curricular excellence, such as a laboratory, some musical instruments and sufficient land for indoor and outdoor activities. This is why an earlier vision to make education free from kindergarten to university should be put in place. This, by itself, will create a level playing field for this and succeeding generations. Briefly speaking, we do not need to reinvent the wheel, we can revive our Annual Music Festival, GUYFESTA and even Mass Games, so that each child has a basic programme of extra-curricular activity and healthy competition. In other words, with a non-political programme, we can release the creative energies of every student from the North West to the Corentyne, from the Rupununi to Georgetown. I plead with our current crop of leaders to set aside pettiness and think about the above so that we can leave to succeeding generations, a country that is truly united, truly capable and plays a leading role in the exciting new world that beckons.
Sincerely,
Hamilton Green
Elder
